Goodboy Friday

Editorial team

Goodboy Friday

Articles written

Feline Health

Is My Cat Dehydrated? Home Checks, Warning Signs and When to See the Vet

Signs of dehydration in cats — the skin-tent test, the gum check, what they can and cannot tell you, and when a cat needs urgent veterinary care. Home checks tell you when to worry. They can’t tell you you’re safe. Here’s the difference.

12 min readCat
Feline Health

How to Actually Get More Water Into Your Cat

How to get my cat to drink more water — every method that works, ranked by evidence, from wet food to water fountains, broth and beyond. The playbook. Strongest levers first, myths graded honestly.

12 min readCat
Feline Health

Crystals, Stones and the pH Story

Struvite, calcium oxalate, crystals in cat urine and bladder stones in cats — what the tray is telling you, and what actually prevents them. Two minerals, opposite rules. Here’s the chemistry your cat lives with.

15 min readCat
A white, brown, and orange calico cat with green eyes sitting outdoors on a concrete step, looking over its shoulder toward the camera. Tropical palm leaves and potted plants surround the cat, with scattered leaves on the groundFeline Health

When a Cat Can’t Pee: The Blocked-Cat Emergency Every Cat Parent Must Recognise

Cat straining to urinate, crying in the litter tray, unable to pee — the signs of feline urethral obstruction and lower urinary tract disease. This is the one that can kill in a day. Learn it before you ever need it.

12 min readCat
A close-up portrait of a fluffy brown tabby cat with green-yellow eyes, large pointed ears, long whiskers, and a pink nose, facing the camera against a softly blurred warm beige backgroundFeline Health

Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: The Early Signs and the Long Game

Kidney disease in cats, caught early — the signs, the tests (SDMA, creatinine and IRIS stages), the renal diet evidence, and living well with CKD. Quiet, common, and far more manageable than the old name suggested.

12 min readCat
A brown tabby cat drinking water from a clear glass bowl on a checkered tablecloth indoorsFeline Health

Water Is the Whole Story: Why Your Cat Is Built to Be Thirsty for Dinner, Not the Bowl

Why cats don’t drink enough water — the desert-carnivore science of feline hydration, moisture in food, and urinary and kidney risk. Your cat isn’t being stubborn about the water bowl. She’s just running very old software.

12 min readCat
Three cats in one frameGolden Years

The Silent Epidemic: Dental Disease in Senior Cats

Dental Disease in Senior Cats — The Three Diseases You Cannot See, the Signs You Are Misreading, and the Home Prevention That Actually Works

25 min readCat
Old dog sitting on the streetGolden Years

The Silent Epidemic: Dental Disease in Senior Dogs

Dental Disease in Senior Dogs — Signs You Are Missing, Home Prevention That Works, and the Myths That Make It Worse Because bad breath was never “just an old dog thing.”

25 min readDog
Golden Years

Beyond Chicken and Rice

Alternative Protein Sources for Senior Dogs and Cats — From Eggs and Fish to Insect Protein, Novel Proteins, and Kidney-Friendly Options

20 min readBoth
Indie dog looking sidewaysGolden Years

How You Feed Matters

Kibble, Wet Food, Raw, Fresh, and Home-Cooked Compared for Senior Dogs and Cats Because what you feed is only half the story

25 min readBoth
Cat sitting on the tableGolden Years

Is My Pet a Senior? The Breed-Aware Age Guide for Dogs and Cats

A pet’s senior age depends on species, breed, size and genetics—not the outdated 7:1 rule. Learn when dogs and cats become seniors, key ageing signs, lifespan, and when screening should start.

25 min readBoth
Old dog lying on the street with a toyGolden Years

Laser and Red Light Therapy for Senior Pets: What Actually Helps

Photobiomodulation, PEMF, Cold Laser, and Red Light Therapy for Dogs and Cats — and How to Tell Real Treatment from Magnetic Beds and Hype

25 min readBoth
Dog Lying On A CouchGolden Years

Can You Actually Slow Your Pet’s Ageing? Start With What Works — Then Meet the Drugs

Learn what science says about helping pets live longer. From maintaining a healthy weight and nutrition to fasting, autophagy, and emerging longevity treatments, this guide separates proven advice from promising research.

25 min readBoth
Close-up of a scruffy white dog's muzzle gently cradled in a person's hands decorated with intricate henna designs. Warm indoor lighting highlights the dog's black nose and soft fur, creating a calm, affectionate moment that conveys comfort, trust, and the bond between pet and owner.Golden Years

Your Pet’s Cells Are Running Out of Fuel — Here’s What That Means

As pets age, declining NAD+ reduces their cells' ability to repair and produce energy. This guide explores evidence-based supplements and emerging therapies to support healthy ageing in dogs and cats.

25 min readBoth
A tan-and-white dog with long floppy ears lies on a camouflage-patterned cushion, resting its head on its front paws. The dog gazes downward with a calm, slightly wistful expression, while a softly blurred brick wall forms the warm backgroundGolden Years

The Protein Myth - Why Senior Pets Need More Protein, Not Less

Healthy senior dogs and cats usually need **more**, not less, protein to maintain muscle. Restrict protein only for pets diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and under veterinary guidance.

25 min readBoth
Close-up portrait of a light golden dog with one eye partially closed and the other open, showing a gentle brown gaze. The dog's pinkish-brown nose is slightly out of focus in the foreground, while its soft tan-and-cream fur is sharply detailed against a warm, blurred backgroundGolden Years

The 12 Hallmarks of Ageing

Ageing in pets is driven by 12 biological hallmarks—not just time. Understanding these shared processes is transforming senior dog and cat care with new longevity-focused treatments.

20 min readBoth
A tan and white beagle lies curled up on a cushioned dog bed indoors, resting its head on the mattress and gazing forward with a calm, slightly sad expression. A brick wall forms the background, while part of a doorway softly frames the left side of the image.Golden Years

Senior-Proofing Your Home

Your senior pet’s changing needs require more than medication. Discover practical home modifications—from better traction and ramps to safer litter boxes, lighting, and bedding—to improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

15 min readBoth
Golden Years

The Foundational Supplement Stack for Senior Pets

Confused by senior pet supplement claims? This evidence-based guide reviews 8 popular supplements, separating proven benefits from hype, with clear ratings and dosage guidance for dogs and cats.

15 min readBoth
A fluffy brown-and-gray tabby cat with striking green eyes sits indoors, looking directly at the camera. Behind the cat, bright yellow sunflowers and delicate white flowers in vases create a warm, cozy backdrop, with soft natural light and a shallow depth of field gently blurring the backgroundGolden Years

Is Your Cat 11 or Older? You May Want to Read This — Cat Dementia

Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (cat dementia) is common but often missed. Learn the VISHDAAL screening framework to spot early warning signs, assess your cat's cognitive health, and know when to seek veterinary care.

20 min readCat
A scruffy tan, white, and black dog with a wiry coat lies indoors, gazing attentively upward. The dog wears a dark collar, while soft natural light highlights its expressive eyes against a blurred background with plants.Golden Years

Is Your Dog 7 or Older? You May Want to Read This — Dog Dementia

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (dog dementia) is common but often missed in senior dogs. Learn the DISHAA framework to spot early signs, assess risk, and know when to seek veterinary care.

20 min readDog
Light-coloured dog sitting by a window, looking outside as warm sunlight falls across its face.Golden Years

The Language of Ageing: How Your Pet Tells You Something Has Changed

When senior pets slow down, withdraw, or change routines, they're often communicating underlying health changes rather than simply "getting old". Learning to recognise these signs early can make a meaningful difference.

15 min readBoth